Chief Patalano Announces Retirement From Long Beach Fire Department

Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Chief Alan Patalano announced his retirement earlier today, after 22 years of service to the City of Long Beach. Chief Patalano, a 27-year veteran of the fire service, was appointed Long Beach Fire Chief in May 2010. He is the 16th Chief in the LBFD’s 115-year history. Prior to assuming the Long Beach Fire Department’s top post, Chief Patalano served in multiple positions on the Fire Departments Command Staff, including: Deputy Chief of Support Services, Deputy Chief of Operations, and Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention.

“I am extremely proud to have served as Chief of the Long Beach Fire Department,” says Chief Patalano. “The women and men who wear the Long Beach Fire Department uniform are truly the best in their class.”

During his career, Chief Patalano was involved in multiple initiatives, including the development and implementation of the Basic Life Support (BLS) Transportation Program, a program that has been successful in providing emergency medical services to Long Beach residents in times of need. Chief Patalano successfully and effectively managed the department through two years of difficult budget reductions, implementing the necessary reductions while continuing to manage fire resources on a daily basis to provide the highest level of service possible to the Long Beach community. He also led the reinstatement of the Joint Fire and Police Arson Investigation Task Force, which has led to the arrest of several arsonists in Long Beach.

City Manager Patrick West says, “Chief Patalano will be greatly missed, and I’m incredibly appreciative of his service to the City and this community.

As Chief Patalano transitions to retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with family and friends. The Citys process to select a new Fire Chief will begin shortly, and consider both external and internal candidates.